Nancy Gray, Abingdon, Va.

Published August 19th, 2011 9:01 pm

ABINGDON, Va. — Nancy Elizabeth Minnick Gray, age 73, passed away on Friday, August 19, 2011 at Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol, TN after a long and courageous battle with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Cancer.
She was born on February 12, 1938 in Meadowview, Virginia.
She was a daughter of the late William Ernest and Essie Maude Combs Minnick.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Peggy Jo Minnick Thayer, and her nephew, Joseph Alan Warden.
Nancy was a 1955 graduate of Meadowview High School, attended the Washington County Technical School, and a member of the Meadowview United Methodist Church for 63 years. She was a former employee of the United Inter-Mountain Telephone Co. and worked as a receptionist for several Real Estate offices in Abingdon, VA.
Survivors include her husband Charles Edward “Eddie” Gray, Jr. having been married 51 years. One son, and daughter-in-law, Mark Edward and Dana Martelle (Marty) Lay Gray, two granddaughters, Megan Martelle, and MaKenzie Madison Gray all of Johnson City, Tennessee. One sister and brother-in-law, Betsy Minnick Warden and husband Alan D. Warden of Abingdon, Virginia. Three nieces, Amy Jo Tignor of Bristol, Virginia, Tracie Warden Smith and husband Michael Smith of Knoxville, Tennessee, Stephanie Warden Duncan and husband Christopher Duncan of Abingdon, Virginia, and one nephew Bradley Wayne Thayer and wife, Renee’ of Cedar Bluff, Virginia.
She is also survived by three great nieces, Rachel Jo Thayer of Lebanon, Virginia, Hannah and Emma Duncan of Abingdon, Virginia and two great nephews Richard Thayer of Lebanon, Virginia and Josh Tignor of Bristol, Virginia. Several cousins and her many friends she loved so much, especially very special friends, Becky Corvin, Esther Land, Barbara Odum, Allene Collins, Madge Greer and Beulah Stringer.
Funeral services for Nancy Elizabeth Minnick Gray will be held on Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 3:00 P.M. in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with the Rev. David Jackson and Rev. Maurice Lay officiating. Interment will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Bradley W. Thayer, Richard Thayer, Josh Tignor, Mark Farris, Robert Hilt, David G. Wright, Chris Duncan, Michael Smith and Scott Rector. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Men of the Meadowview United Methodist Church, Calvin N. Odum and Paul V. Price
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 P.M. Saturday, August 20, 2011 at Farris Funeral Service.
Those wishing to express sympathy on line may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook.
The family would like to thank Dr. William J. Baker and his nurse, Belinda, Dr. Albertine de Wit, Dr. Ernest N. Henry and his nurse, Sue, Dr. Emory Robinette and his nurse, Cheryl, Dr. Wendy Strawbridge, Dr. James Wade and his nurse, Gail, Dr. William F. Prestowitz, Dr. David Smith, Dr. Sue J. Prill and all of their staff for all their many years of medical service to Nancy.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Meadowview United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 255, Meadowview, VA 24361-0255, American Cancer Society or the American Rheumatoid Arthritis Society.
Mrs. Gray and her family are under the care of Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276) 623-2700